Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officers are investigating a hit-and-run boating crash in Biscayne Bay that left a father dead and his son injured Wednesday night. The crash happened around 8:30 p.m. in the Meloy Channel, near Indian Creek and Biscayne Pointe Miami Beach. According to investigators, the father and son were aboard a 7-foot dinghy when another vessel struck them, ejecting both into the water.
“Preliminary information indicates a father and son were aboard a seven-foot dinghy in the Meloy Channel, near Indian Creek and Biscayne Pointe in Biscayne Bay, when they were struck by another vessel,” the FWC said. Miami-Dade Fire Rescue crews recovered the victims and transported them to a nearby hospital. The Miami Beach Fire Department responded to the water rescue at around 8:11 p.m. near 7970 Biscayne Point Circle involving the small vessel in the hit-and-run incident.
Authorities said the father died from his injuries at the hospital. The son survived and was taken to Jackson Memorial Hospital’s Ryder Trauma Center. His age and current condition have not been released by officials. First responders were able to bring both victims ashore at a nearby residence before rushing them to the trauma center.
FWC officials say the boat that struck them fled the scene immediately after the collision. The suspect vessel is described as a dark blue boat, approximately 20 to 30 feet long, with two outboard motors. Investigators said it was last seen heading northbound from the Meloy Channel in Biscayne Bay. The exact ages of the people involved were not immediately provided by authorities.
FWC Officer George Reynaud asked anyone who witnessed the incident or may have video to come forward with information. The Meloy Channel area near Indian Creek and Biscayne Pointe is a popular boating corridor in Miami Beach waters. Boating accidents in Florida waters fall under FWC jurisdiction, and hit-and-run incidents carry serious criminal penalties under state law.
Anyone with information about the crash is urged to call the Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-3922 or the Miami Beach Police Department at 305-673-7900. The investigation remains active as officers work to identify the vessel and operator responsible for the fatal collision.